Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

486 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[528]the cause of God. Murmurers and complainers should remain at home,where they will be out of the way of temptation, where they cannotfind food for their jealousies, evil surmisings, and faultfindings, forthe presence of such is only a burden to the meetings; they are cloudswithout water.Those who feel at liberty to find fault with and censure those whomGod has chosen to act an important part in this last great work wouldbetter seek to be converted and to obtain the mind of Christ. Let themremember the children of Israel who were so ready to find fault withMoses, whom God had ordained to lead His people to Canaan, and tomurmur against even God Himself. All these murmurers fell in thewilderness. It is easy to rebel, easy to give battle before consideringmatters rationally, calmly, and settling whether there is anything towar against. The children of Israel are an example to us upon whomthe ends of the world are come.It is easier for many to question and find fault in regard to mattersat Battle Creek than to tell what should be done. Some would evenventure to take this responsibility, but they would soon find themselvesdeficient in experience and would run the work into the ground. Ifthese talkers and faultfinders would themselves become burden bearersand pray for the laborers, they would be blessed themselves and wouldbless others with their godly example, with their holy influence andlives. It is easier for many to talk than to pray; such lack spirituality andholiness, and their influence is an injury to the cause of God. Insteadof feeling that the work at Battle Creek is their work, and that theyhave an interest in its prosperity, they stand aside more as spectators,to question and find fault. Those who do this are the very ones wholack experience in this work and who have suffered but little for thetruth’s sake.* * * * *